Indefinite blockade hits normal life in Mizoram

Aizawl (zoramobserver.com): The indefinite blockade on National Highway-54 called by the Joint Action Committee of NGOs and student bodies in Mizoram-Assam border town of Kolasib from 5 am today has partly affected normal life as the state was completely cut off from rest of the country.

All vehicles stayed off the road in Kolasib town and no vehicles came from outside. Government offices and education institutions were also closed in protest against the transfer of a surgeon from the Kolasib District Hospital “without posting a replacement”.

The bandh was strictly observed with several volunteers standing guard at several duty posts, a leader of JAC told zoramobserver.com.

To continue tomorrow

“The blockade will continue tomorrow as no positive response was received from the government till late evening,” he added.

Meanwhile, many travellers faced inconvenience as they could not reached their destinations due to the blockade.

A villager from Kolasib district who came to consult a doctor in Aizawl said that he could not return home. “I am now stuck here due to the strike,” he told zoramobserver.com.

National Highway-54 is the lifeline of Mizoram. The 850 km long national highway connects Mizoram with Assam and the blockade, if prolonged, could result in severe shortage of essential commodities.

As reported earlier by zoramobserver.com, a conglomerate of NGOs and student bodies in Kolasib has been protesting against the transfer of Dr. Zothansanga Zadeng, a surgeon currently posted at Kolasib District Hospital. They want the state government to revoke the transfer order that was issued on May 18 “due to shortage of surgeon at the district hospital”.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress leaders said that there was another surgeon in the district hospital and the blockade was uncalled for. Health Minister Lal Thanzara also expressed hope that the problem of shortage of doctors would be solved after recruitment of 26 doctors by the state public service commission for which the process is going on.